The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, is one of the standout films competing for the prestigious Golden Palm at Cannes. Following its premiere, the film received a warm reception from audiences, highlighted by a 13-minute standing ovation—the longest at this year’s festival. It falls under the genre of psychological thriller, centering on the character Elisabeth Sparkle (played by Demi Moore), a once-glamorous star who finds herself struggling to maintain her allure while resorting to the use of a rare drug to create a more youthful version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley).
Regarding the daring intimate scenes in the film, Demi Moore expressed feeling secure due to the professionalism of the crew around her. “We often didn’t wear clothes on set. But everyone on the team was very respectful in handling these challenging situations. Ultimately, the most important thing is how we communicate and the trust we build with each other,” the actress elaborated.
Demi Moore’s performance in the film has garnered significant acclaim from critics, achieving a score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. Notably, many reviews praised her physique and daring portrayal, particularly at the age of 61, in taking on this challenging role. Women’s Health magazine remarked: “In the film, Demi Moore’s character goes through many transformative scenes that are definitely noteworthy. However, one thing is certain, many viewers may find her physique quite astonishing.”
Gregory Joujon-Roche, Demi Moore’s personal trainer, shared that the actress has been consistently training since 2018 to maintain her physique. She has a dedicated yoga practice and engages in strength training at least once a week, often working out on her days off from filming. Alongside this, the actress has also actively participated in Pilates classes with several other stars in Hollywood.